Saturday, March 15, 2014

On March 08th, 2014, Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370 was scheduled to depart Kuala Lumpur airport (WMKK/KUL) at 12:41AM Malaysia time. The flight was scheduled to arrive at Beijing Capital International Airport (BJS/PEK) at 8:25AM, according to major news sources.

Flightaware flight tracking shows the flight as airborne at 3:00PM with an altitude of 1,500 feet, and was tracked by ADS-B technology until 3:26PM at an altitude of 39,000 feet, and from 3:28PM until 5:54PM, Flightaware shows the aircraft as only at "estimated" status, meaning that their tracking of the flight cannot be verified between the times mentioned. From 5:54PM until 5:59PM, the flight was tracked again by ADS-B. Please note that all times are in EDT time to prevent confusion due to time zone crossing.

Flightaware tracking further shows that the aircraft at a high speed of 509 knots at exactly 3:18PM. The aircraft slowed to 477 knots at exactly 3:26PM. When the aircraft was tracked again at 5:54PM, it was flying at a speed of 507 knots, slowing to a speed of 458 knots, with a steady altitude of 39,100 feet.

The plane’s transponder, which reports its location and altitude - along
with a data reporting system - were shut down within minutes of each
other before the plane changed course. According to experts, the fact
that the systems were shut down separately means a catastrophic event is
unlikely because both systems would have failed at the same time.

After disappearing from radar the plane turned back towards Malaysia,
where military radar picked up the plane’s signal but did not realize it
was a passenger jet until days later. The plane was tracked crossing
Peninsular Malaysia before crossing the Strait of Malacca.

Although the transponder was turned off, the plane was “pinging” a
satellite for hours after it disappeared from radar. As a result,
officials revealed the last time the satellite received data from the
plane was 8:11 a.m., about seven hours and 31 minutes after the plane
took off. Currently officials have not been able to track the plane’s
location with these same “pings.”

The missing plane was piloted by Capt. Zaharie Ahmad Shah, 53, and his
co-pilot or first officer on the flight was Fariq Abdul Hamid, 27. Neither Shah or Hamid appeared to raise any red flags during the initial investigation.

Shah, a married father with three grown children, joined Malaysian
Airlines in 1981 and has more than 18,000 hours of experience in the
air.

Hamid had been flying with Malaysian Airlines since 2007 and has more than 2,000 hours in the air.

12:41 a.m.: Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 takes off from Kuala
Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia heading for Beijing, China. The
plane shows up on radar two minutes after taking off.

1:07 a.m.: The last automated data transmission is sent
from the plane. U.S officials told ABC News they believe that sometime
after this transmission the data reporting system was shut down.
Sometime after this transmission Kuala Lumpur's air traffic control
tells the plane's pilot they are handing off to air traffic control
based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The pilot responds, "All right. Good
night."

1:21 a.m.: The plane's transponder, which transmits
location and altitude, shuts down. Sources told ABC News that U.S.
officials are “convinced that there was a manual intervention.”

1:22 a.m.: MH370 should have come to the navigational
way-point called Igari point. Before it reached this point, Vietnamese
air traffic control noticed they had lost contact with MH370, according
to the Vietnam’s Civil Aviation Authority.

1:30 a.m.: The last moment that the plane was seen by Malaysian radar.

1:38 a.m.: Air traffic control in Ho Chi Minh City informs
Kuala Lumpur air traffic control about the signal loss.
Ho Chi Minh City asks two other planes to contact MH370. Neither plane
is able to raise the pilot of MH370. At least one of the planes report
getting a “buzz signal” and no voices, then losing the signal.

2:15 a.m.: Malaysian military defense radar picks up
traces of the plane hundreds of miles west of MH370’s last contact
point. The plane crosses over the Peninsular Malaysia and into the
Strait of Malacca. The Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said
Saturday that the flight path was “consistent with deliberate action by
someone on the plane.”

Following hours: In the hours after contact was lost MH370
"pings" a satellite several times. It's not clear if those pings
include data that could reveal the plane's location.
The Malaysian prime minister said Saturday that the satellite data
revealed that the plane flew for approximately seven more hours after
dropping off of radar.

6:32 a.m.: A broadcast call was made from Kuala Lumpur's
air traffic control on emergency frequencies asking MH370 to call them.

6:51 a.m.: A broadcast call was made from Ho Chi Minh
City's air traffic control on emergency frequencies asking MH370 to call
them.

8:11 a.m.: The fight makes its last communication with a
satellite seven hours and 31 minutes after taking off. Due to the amount
of time the plane was in the air, officials are now searching an
expansive region covering 5,000 miles from Kazakhstan to the South
Indian Ocean

Further to the statement by
the Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak earlier today
into the ongoing search for Flight MH370, Malaysia Airlines has shared
all available information with the relevant authorities since the moment
we learned that the aircraft had disappeared, in the early hours of
Saturday 8th March. This includes the very first indications
that MH370 may have remained airborne for several hours after contact
was lost, which the Prime Minister referred to today.
This is truly an unprecedented situation, for Malaysia Airlines and
for the entire aviation industry. There has never been a case in which
information gleaned from satellite signals alone could potentially be
used to identify the location of a missing commercial airliner. Given
the nature of the situation and its extreme sensitivity, it was critical
that the raw satellite signals were verified and analysed by the
relevant authorities so that their significance could be properly
understood. This naturally took some time, during which we were unable
to publicly confirm their existence.
We were well aware of the ongoing media speculation during this
period, and its effect on the families of those on board. Their anguish
and distress increases with each passing day, with each fresh rumour,
and with each false or misleading media report. Our absolute priority at
all times has been to support the authorities leading the multinational
search for MH370, so that we can finally provide the answers which the
families and the wider community are waiting for.
We remain absolutely committed to sharing confirmed information with
family members and the wider public in a fully open and transparent
manner. However given the nature of the situation, the importance of
validating new information before it is released into the public domain
is paramount.
Our thoughts and prayers remain with the families of the 227
passengers and our 12 Malaysia Airlines colleagues and friends on board
flight MH370. They will remain at the centre of every action we take as a
company, as they have been since MH370 first disappeared.

Malaysia Airlines reiterates
that we will continue to give our full support in cooperating with the
search and rescue mission which is coordinated by the Department of
Civil Aviation Malaysia (DCA) under the purview of the Ministry of
Transport, Malaysia.
Malaysia Airlines is fully aware of the on-going media speculations
and we have nothing further to add to the information we have already
provided.
Our primary focus at this point in time is to care for the families
of the passengers and crew of MH370. This means providing them with
timely information, travel facilities, accommodation, meals, medical and
emotional support.
Malaysia Airlines will continue to provide regular updates to the
general public via the media and our website on all matters affecting
MH370.

As
a mark of respect to the passengers and crew of MH370 on 8 March 2014,
the MH370 and MH371 flight codes will be retired from the Malaysia
Airlines’ Kuala Lumpur- Beijing-Kuala Lumpur route.
With effect from 14 March 2014, the new flight number to replace MH370 and MH371 will be:-
MH 318 – Kuala Lumpur - Beijing
MH 319 – Beijing - Kuala Lumpur
There are no changes to the frequency of our services and we will continue to operate double daily services to Beijing.
Our thoughts and prayers remain with the families of our colleagues and passengers of MH 370.

Malaysia
Airlines wishes to clarify the claims that some families of the
passengers were flown to India instead of Malaysia. This is not true.
Malaysia Airlines flies directly from Beijing to Kuala Lumpur without
a transit. There are also no Malaysia Airlines' direct flights from
Hong Kong to Mumbai or any part of India.
The welfare of both the crew and passenger’s families remain our
focus. At the same time, the security and safety of our passengers is of
the utmost importance to us.

Similar
to the situation in Kuala Lumpur, the focus of Malaysia Airlines team
in Beijing is to provide care for the families of passengers.
Malaysia Airlines has to-date deployed a team of 112 caregivers to
provide assistance to the family members during this trying time.
Once the news of the incident became known, a total of 94 caregivers
including the Senior Management members of Malaysia Airlines were
deployed to Beijing immediately. In the days that followed, an
additional 18 caregivers were deployed.
The caregiver’s primary role is to provide family members with
emotional support and ensure their basic needs are met to try and make
this difficult time relatively bearable.
Malaysia Airlines also provided equal amount of initial financial
assistance to all families of passengers, over and above meeting their
basic needs. All travel arrangements, accommodation, meals, and medical
support are also absorbed by the Airline.
Regular briefings are conducted to update the families on current
progress. During these briefings, the team also takes questions from the
families to clear any doubt that they may have. We have arranged a team
of translators to convey our messages in Mandarin. We also continue to
keep the Chinese media informed and updated via regular press
conferences.
Malaysia Airlines also received support from the Department of Civil
Aviation Malaysia (DCAM), who deployed two of their officers to join the
team in Beijing. This was to facilitate questions and provide
information on the search and rescue mission which is coordinated by the
DCAM.
The Airline continues to work closely with the authorities and we
appreciate the help we are receiving from all local and international
agencies during this critical period.
Our top priority remains to provide any and all assistance to the families of the passengers and crew.
Malaysia Airlines reiterates that it continues to be transparent in
communicating with the general public via the media on all matters
affecting MH370.

Malaysia
Airlines' primary focus at this point in time is to care for the
families of the passengers and crew of MH370. This means providing them
with timely information, travel facilities, accommodation, meals,
medical and emotional support. All these costs are borne by Malaysia
Airlines.
We have deployed teams of caregivers consisting of trained MAS staff
and volunteers from Mercy Malaysia and Tzu Chi Foundation. These
caregivers are stationed at five different locations at Beijing and four
different locations in Kuala Lumpur.
As of now, we have 115 family members in Kuala Lumpur and they are
taken care of by 72 different caregivers. At least one caregiver is
assigned to each family together with a Mandarin translator for the
families from China.
The caregivers have been keeping the families updated on the search and rescue efforts as well as provide emotional support.
Equal amount of initial financial assistance are being given out to
all families of passengers and crew over and above their basic needs.
This amount is extended to families of all crew and passengers in
Malaysia as well those from other nations.
We regret and empathise with the families and we will do whatever we
can to ease their burden. We are as anxious as the families to know the
status of their loved ones.

Malaysia
Airlines has become aware of the allegations being made against First
Officer, Fariq Ab Hamid which we take very seriously. We are shocked by
these allegations.
We have not been able to confirm the validity of the pictures and
videos of the alleged incident. As you are aware, we are in the midst of
a crisis, and we do not want our attention to be diverted.
We also urge the media and general public to respect the privacy of
the families of our colleagues and passengers. It has been a difficult
time for them.
The welfare of both the crew and passenger’s families remain our
focus. At the same time, the security and safety of our passengers is of
the utmost importance to us.

This
statement is in reference to the many queries on the alleged five (5)
passengers who checked-in but did not board MH370 on 8 March 2014 from
Kuala Lumpur to Beijing despite having valid tickets to travel.
Malaysia Airlines wishes to clarify that there were four (4)
passengers who had valid booking to travel on flight MH370, 8 March
2014, but did not show up to check-in for the flight.
As such, the issue of off-loading unaccompanied baggage did not
arise, as the said four passengers did not check in for the flight.
Hence, the above claim is untrue.

As we enter into Day 4, the aircraft is yet to be found.
The search and rescue teams (SAR) have expanded the scope beyond the
flight path to the West Peninsular of Malaysia at the Straits of
Malacca. The authorities are looking at a possibility of an attempt made
by MH370 to turn back to Subang. All angles are being looked at. We are
not ruling out any possibilities.
The mission is aided by various countries namely Australia, China,
Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Philippines and the United
States of America. The assets deployed to cover the search and rescue is
extensive. In total there are nine aircraft and 24 vessels deployed on
this mission.
Apart from the search in the sea, search on land in between these areas is also conducted.
The search and rescue teams have analysed debris and oil slick found
in the waters. It is confirmed that it does not belong to MH370.
The B777-200 aircraft that operated MH370 underwent maintenance on 23
February 2014, 12 days before this particular flight on 8 March 2014.
The next check is due on 19 June 2014. The maintenance was conducted at
the KLIA hangar and there were no issues on the health of the aircraft.
The aircraft was delivered to Malaysia Airlines in 2002 and have
since recorded 53,465.21 hours with a total of 7525 cycles. All Malaysia
Airlines aircraft are equipped with continuous data monitoring system
called the Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System
(ACARS) which transmits data automatically. Nevertheless, there were no
distress calls and no information was relayed.
Malaysia Airlines has a special task force to take care of families.
Mercy Malaysia and Tzu Chi and others are also helping Malaysia Airlines
by providing special psychological counseling to families and also the
MH crew.
The Chinese government officials in Malaysia are also working closely
with Malaysia Airlines. A representative from the embassy is stationed
at the Emergency Operations Centre to assist with the emergency
management and matters related to families in Kuala Lumpur.
In Beijing, the Prime Minister’s special envoy to China, Tan Sri Ong
Ka Ting is there to assist and coordinate all operational matters with
Malaysia Airlines.
We regret and empathise with the families and we will do whatever we
can to ensure that all basic needs, comfort, psychological support are
delivered. We are as anxious as the families to know the status of their
loved ones.
To the families of the crew on-board MH370, we share your pain and
anxiety. They are of the MAS family and we are deeply affected by this
unfortunate incident.
Malaysia Airlines reiterates that it will continue to be transparent
in communicating with the general public via the media on all matters
affecting MH370.

The purpose of this statement is to update on emergency response activities at Malaysia Airlines.
On notification of the incident the following steps have been taken:-The EOC:-1. Activation of the Emergency Operations Center
(EOC) in the early morning of 8 March 2014. The EOC is the central
command and control facility responsible for carrying out emergency
management functions at the strategic level during a disaster.
2. In addition to the EOC, various departments of Malaysia Airlines
are also addressing to all the different needs during this crisis.Family Management1. Malaysia Airlines is working closely with the
government of China to expedite the issuance of passports for the
families intending to travel to Malaysia, as well as with the
immigration of Malaysia on the issuance of their visas into Malaysia.
2. Malaysia Airlines is deploying an additional aircraft to bring the families from Beijing to Kuala Lumpur on 11 March 2014.
3. When the aircraft is located, a Response Coordination Centre (RCC)
will be established within the vicinity to support the needs of the
families. This has been communicated specifically to the families.
4. Once the Response Coordination Centre is operational, we will
provide transport and accommodation to the designated areas for the
family members.
5. Our oneworld partners have been engaged to help bring family members in other countries aside from China into Kuala Lumpur.Search and Rescue1. Malaysia Airlines has been actively cooperating
with the search and rescue authorities coordinated by the Department of
Civil Aviation Malaysia (DCA) and the Ministry of Transport
2. DCA has confirmed that search and rescue teams from Australia,
China, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Philippines, New Zealand
and the United States of America have come forward to assist. We are
grateful for these efforts.

We also want to address a few common queries from the media.
We are receiving many queries about how the passengers with the
stolen passports purchased their tickets. We are unable to comment on
this matter as this is a security issue. We can however confirm that we
have given all the flight details to the authorities for further
investigation.
We also confirm that we are making necessary arrangements for MH370
passengers' families from Beijing to travel to Kuala Lumpur. However,
flight details of the families’ arrival are highly confidential. This is
to protect the privacy and well-being of the families during this
difficult time and to respect their space. Our position is not to reveal
any information on the flight or movements of the families.
Malaysia Airlines' primary focus at this point in time is to care for
the families of the passengers and crew of MH370. This means providing
them with timely information, travel facilities, accommodation, meals,
medical and emotional support. The costs for these are all borne by
Malaysia Airlines.
All other Malaysia Airlines’ flights are as per schedule. The safety
of our passengers and crew has always been and will continue to be of
utmost importance to us.
The airline continues to work with the authorities and we appreciate
the help we are receiving from all local and international parties and
agencies during this critical and difficult time.
Malaysia Airlines reiterates that it will continue to be transparent
in communicating with the general public via the media on all matters
affecting MH370.

It has been more than 48 hours since we lost contact with our flight MH370 from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.
Despite not being able to establish any positive findings on the
whereabouts of the aircraft, Malaysia Airlines has been actively
cooperating with the search and rescue authorities coordinated by the
Department of Civil Aviation Malaysia (DCA).
DCA has confirmed that search and rescue teams from Australia, China,
Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Philippines and the United
States of America have come forward to assist. We are grateful for these
efforts.
Malaysia Airlines' primary focus at this point in time is to care for
the families. This means providing them with timely information, travel
facilities, accommodation, meals, medical and emotional support. The
costs for these are all borne by Malaysia Airlines.
Initial financial assistance has been given out to all families over and above their basic needs.
At least one caregiver is assigned to each family. These caregivers
are well-trained staff and volunteers from Malaysia and other
organisations.
As of now, there are more than 150 "Go Team" members consisting of
senior management and caregivers at Beijing to attend to these families.
In Kuala Lumpur, a different group of caregivers are attending to the
families’ needs.
Families from other nations apart from China have been arriving at
Kuala Lumpur since early yesterday. More are expected to arrive today.
Malaysia Airlines is working closely with the government of China to
expedite the issuance of passports for the families as well as with the
immigration of Malaysia for their visas into Malaysia.
When the aircraft is located, a Response Coordination Centre (RCC)
will be activated within the vicinity to support the needs of the
families. This has been communicated specifically to the families.
The airline continues to work with the authorities and we appreciate
the help we are receiving from all parties and agencies during this
critical and difficult time especially the members of the media.
Malaysia Airlines reiterates that it will continue to be transparent
in communicating with the general public via the media in all matters
affecting MH370.
Malaysia Airlines is similarly anxious and we appreciate the patience, support and prayers from everyone.

Statement by MAS GCEO, Ahmad Jauhari Yahya
Together with all those affected by the MH370 incident, we understand
the need to provide regular updates on the progress of the search and
rescue operations. As the hours turn into days, we at Malaysia Airlines
are similarly anxious and we appreciate the patience, support and
prayers from everyone.
We however acknowledge that the most affected group in this incident
is the families of those on-board. As such, our primary focus at this
point in time is to care for the families. This means providing them
with timely information, travel facilities, accommodation, meals and
emotional support. Initial financial assistance has been given out to
all families. Caregivers are already assigned to each family and they
are trained staff and volunteers from Malaysia and Australia.
Family members of the MH370 passengers from Beijing who wish to
travel will be flown in stages to Kuala Lumpur on the available flights. We are also communicating with the families from other nations to similarly arrange for their travel to Kuala Lumpur.
In the event flight MH370 is located, a Response Control Centre (RCC)
in the area will be activated to support the needs of families.
The airline continues to work with the authorities and we appreciate
the help we are receiving from all parties during this critical and
difficult time.

Sepang, 9 March 2014: Malaysia Airlines humbly asks all Malaysians and people around the world to pray for flight MH370.
It has been more than 24 hours since we last heard from MH370 at
1.30am. The search and rescue team is yet to determine the whereabouts
of the Boeing 777-200 aircraft.
An international search and rescue mission from Malaysia, Singapore
and Vietnam was mobilized yesterday morning. At this stage, they have
failed to find evidence of any wreckage. The sea mission will continue
overnight while the air mission will recommence at daylight.
We are dispatching all information as and when we receive it. The
situation in Beijing is also being monitored closely. As many families
of passengers are in China, we have deployed our “Go Team” to
Beijing with a team of caregivers and volunteers to assist the family
members of the passengers.
Once the whereabouts of the aircraft is determined, Malaysia Airlines
will fly members of the family to the location. Travel arrangements and
expenses of immediate family members will be borne by Malaysia
Airlines.
Our sole priority now is to provide all assistance to the families of
the passengers and our staff. We are also working closely with the
concerned authorities in the search and rescue operation
The families may contact +603 7884 1234 (Kuala Lumpur) / +8610 6437 6249 (Beijing)
For media queries, kindly contact +603 8777 5698/ +603 8787 1276.
There will be a press conference at Sama Sama Hotel at 9.00 am today 9 March 2014 by DCA.
(2014年3月9日凌晨2点发布)
马来西亚航空公司恭请所有马来西亚及全世界人民共同为MH370航班祈祷。
距离最后一次接收MH370讯号，已经过去超过24小时。搜寻和救援队伍仍然没有确定波音777-200客机的行踪。
来自马来西亚、新加坡及越南的国际搜寻与救援机构已于昨天早晨启动搜救行动。截至目前，搜救队伍还没有找到飞机失事的证据。海上搜救还在进行，空中搜救将在今天白天继续进行。
我们会及时发布收到的相关信息，北京的事态也在紧密地控制中。由于乘客亲属大部分都在中国，我们已经组建“行动小组”与志愿者及安抚人员一起前往北京，为乘客亲属提供全力协助。
一旦确定飞机的具体位置，马航工作人员将安排乘客亲属前往事发地点。亲属的旅行安排及费用将由马来西亚航空公司承担。
我们当前的首要任务是全力为乘客亲属提供帮助。我们也在密切配合有关当局进行搜救工作。
亲属可以联络：+603 7884 1234 (吉隆坡) / +8610 6437 6249 (北京)
媒体可以联络：+603 8777 5698 / +603 8787 1276
马来西亚民航局将于今天早晨9点在吉隆坡Sama Sama酒店举行新闻发布会。

Sepang, 8 March 2014:
The families of all passengers on board MH370 are being informed. The
flight was carrying a total number of 239 passengers and crew –
comprising 227 passengers (including 2 infants) and 12 crew members.
An international search and rescue mission was mobilized this
morning. At this stage, our search and rescue teams from Malaysia,
Singapore and Vietnam have failed to find evidence of any wreckage.
The sea mission will continue while the air mission will recommence at daylight.
For the passenger manifest of MH370, click here.
The passengers are of 14 different nationalities. All crew on-board are Malaysians.
The below table shows the latest number of passengers and their nationalities:-

Nationality

Total

China/Taiwan

153 including infant/1

Malaysia

38

India

5

Indonesia

7

Australia

6

France

4

USA

3 including infant

New Zealand

2

Ukraine

2

Canada

2

Russian

1

Italy

1

Netherlands

1

Austrian

1

Our thoughts and prayers are with all affected passengers and crew and their family members.
The public may contact +603 7884 1234.
For media queries, kindly contact +603 8777 5698/ +603 8787 1276.

Sepang, 8 March 2014: Malaysia
Airlines is still unable to establish any contact or determine the
whereabouts of flight MH370. Earlier today, Subang ATC had lost
contact with the aircraft at 2.40am. The last known position of MH370
before it disappeared off the radar was 065515 North (longitude) and
1033443 East (latitude).
We are still trying to locate the current location of the flight
based on the last known position of the aircraft. We are working with
the International search and rescue teams in trying to locate
the aircraft. So far, we have not received any emergency signals or
distress messages from MH370. We are working with authorities and assure
that all sources are deployed to assist with the search and rescue
mission.
The passenger manifest will not be released until all families of the
passengers have been informed. The flight was carrying a total number
of 239 passengers and crew – comprising 227 passengers (including 2
infants) and 12 crew members.
We are deploying our “Go Team” to Beijing which will depart Kuala
Lumpur International Airport at 4.30pm with a team of caregivers and
volunteers to assist the family members of the passengers.
The passengers are of 14 different nationalities. All crew on-board are Malaysians.
Please take note that the earlier statement did not include the
number of Indian nationals. This was due to confusion between the
country code of Indonesia and India.
The below table shows the latest number of passengers and their nationalities:-

Nationality

Total

China/Taiwan

154 including infant

Malaysia

38

India

5

Indonesia

7

Australia

6

France

4

USA

3 including infant

New Zealand

2

Ukraine

2

Canada

2

Russian

1

Italy

1

Netherlands

1

Austrian

1

Our focus now is to work with the emergency responders and authorities and mobilize our full support.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all affected passengers and crew and their family members.
The public may contact +603 7884 1234.
For media queries, kindly contact +603 8777 5698/ +603 8787 1276.
The airline will provide regular updates on the situation. There are
many unvalidated reports out in the media and Malaysia Airlines strongly
urges the media and the public at large to only report from official
statements from Malaysia Airlines and the Government of Malaysia.
马来西亚航空公司目前仍然无法与MH370航班取得联系并确定飞机位置。苏邦空中交通管制台于今天凌晨2点40分与该航班失去联系。MH370航班从雷达系统失踪前的位置在北纬06’55’15，东经103’34’43。

We regret to announce that Subang Traffic Control lost contact with flight MH370 at 2:40 am today.
We are currently working with international authorities on the search
and rescue mission and as at 1400 hours, 08 March 2014, we have no
information on the location of the aircraft.
MH370 is a Boeing 777-200 aircraft on a code share with China
Southern Airlines. It departed Kuala Lumpur at 12.41 am today for
Beijing. The aircraft was scheduled to land at Beijing International
Airport at 6.30am local Beijing time. The flight had a total number of
227 passengers and 12 crew members. The passengers were from 14
different countries, most of whom are from China.
Our team is currently calling family members of passengers to keep
them updated on the situation and our focus now is to work with the
emergency responders and the authorities. We are sending a MH team to
support the families of passengers at Beijing. The airline will continue
to publish regular updates on the situation.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all passengers, our crew and their family members.Media: +603 8777 5698/ +603 8787 1276.Public: +603 7884 1234

Ladies and Gentlemen, we are deeply saddened this morning with the news on MH370.

Malaysia
Airlines confirms that flight MH370 had lost contact with Subang Air
Traffic Control at 2.40am, today. There has been speculation that the
aircraft has landed at Nanming. We are working to verify the
authenticity of the report and others.

Flight
MH370 was operated on a Boeing 777-200 aircraft. It departed Kuala
Lumpur at 12.41 am earlier this morning bound for Beijing. The aircraft
was scheduled to land at Beijing International Airport at 6.30am local
Beijing time.

The
flight was carrying a total number of 239 passengers and crew –
comprising 227 passengers (including 2 infants), 12 crew members. The
passengers were of 14 different nationalities - citizens from:-

1. Chinese – 152, 1 infant

2. Malaysian - 38

3. Indonesian - 7

4. Australian - 6

5. French - 3

6. American – 3 pax plus 1 infant

7. New Zealander - 2

8. Ukrainian - 2

9. Canadian - 2

10. Russian - 1

11. Italian - 1

12. Indian - 5

13. Dutch - 1

14. Austrian - 1

15. Chinese Taipei - 1

We are working with authorities who have activated their Search and Rescue team to locate the aircraft.

Our team is currently calling the next-of-kin of passengers and crew.

The
flight was piloted by Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah, a Malaysian aged 53.
He has a total flying hours of 18,365hours. He joined Malaysia Airlines
in 1981. First officer, Fariq Ab.Hamid, a Malaysian, is aged 27. He has a
total flying hours of 2,763 hours. He joined Malaysia Airlines in 2007.

Our
focus now is to work with the emergency responders and authorities and
mobilize its full support. Our thoughts and prayers are with all
affected passengers and crew and their family members.

We
deeply regret that we have lost all contacts with flight MH370 which
departed Kuala Lumpur at 12.41 am earlier this morning bound for
Beijing. The aircraft was scheduled to land at Beijing International
Airport at 6.30am local Beijing time. Subang Air Traffic Control
reported that it lost contact at 2.40am (local Malaysia time) today.
Flight MH370 was operated on a Boeing B777-200 aircraft. The flight
was carrying a total number of 239 passengers and crew – comprising 227
passengers (including 2 infants), 12 crew members. The passengers were
of 13 different nationalities. Malaysia Airlines is currently working
with the authorities who have activated their Search and Rescue team to
locate the aircraft. Our team is currently calling the next-of-kin of
passengers and crew.
Focus of the airline is to work with the emergency responders and
authorities and mobilize its full support. Our thoughts and prayers are
with all affected passengers and crew and their family members. The
airline will provide regular updates on the situation.
The public may contact +603 7884 1234. For media queries, kindly contact +603 8777 5698/ +603 8787 1276.
For the next-of-kin, please inform them to to Anjung Tinjau,
Level 5, KLIA. Our staff will be there to assist. Transport will be
provided to go to the South Support Zone Facility building for the
next-of-kin.Or next-of-kin may head straight to the Support Facility Building at KLIA’s South Support Zone.

Sepang, 8 March 2014: Malaysia Airlines confirms that flight MH370 has lost contact with Subang Air Traffic Control at 2.40am, today (8 March 2014).
Flight MH370, operated on the B777-200 aircraft, departed Kuala
Lumpur at 12.41am on 8 March 2014. MH370 was expected to land in Beijing
at 6.30am the same day. The flight was carrying a total number of 227
passengers (including 2 infants), 12 crew members.
Malaysia Airlines is currently working with the authorities who have
activated their Search and Rescue team to locate the aircraft.
The airline will provide regular updates on the situation. Meanwhile, the families may contact +603 7884 1234 for further info.

(Amateur Radio Newsline) Special thanks to Bill Pasternak for providing this to Shortwave America

RESCUE RADIO: MISSING FLIGHT SEARCH INVOLVES AMATEUR RADIO
EMCOMM
The disappearance of a Malaysian Airline Boeing 777 jetliner
with 239 passengers on board is a mystery that nine nations
are trying to solve. But during its early hours ham radio
was called in to help with the human aspect of the situation
as we hear from Amateur Radio Newsline's Jim Meachen,

ZL2BHF:
--
When Malaysian Airline flight MH370 bound for Beijing,
disappeared from the air traffic radar, the Emergency
Management Centre at Kuala Lumpur Airport provided
accommodation for all next-of-kin at the Everly Hotel at
Putrajaya. The Malaysian Amateur Radio Transmitters'
Society President, Mohd Aris Bernawi 9M2IR, said his group
was asked to provide a communications link between the
airport and the hotel.

9M2IR said the Malaysian Amateur Radio Transmitters'
Society quickly set up a station at the hotel led by Zanirul
Akhmal Zanirun 9M2PRO. Azizi Samsuri 9W2ZZE as the team
leader. The Malaysian Amateur Radio Transmitters' Society
also provided a cross-band VHF/UHF link to avoid any
unnecessary interference from the public services.

An HF
link was later added. The Negeri Sembilan Amateur
Radio Club provided the volunteers for the station at the
airport's Emergency Management Centre.
During the call-out there were 11 volunteers at the airport
and 23 at the hotel, all on rotating shifts. 9M2IR oversaw
the entire process for the Malaysian Amateur Radio
Transmitters' Society.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF, in
Nelson, New Zealand
--
Meantime the mystery surrounding Malaysian Airline flight MH
370 continues. (VK3PC)

158 CURRENT References for Malaysian Airlines Flight 370, with credit given to Wikipedia (This will not be updated here. Please visit Wikipedia to see any changes to this and other information featured on Shortwave America credited to Wikipedia):